Newsmakers in Banking & Finance

Amanda J. West and V. Sue Butts, certified public accountants with Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP, have earned certified fraud examiner designations. West, a senior accountant, joined the firm in 2004 and is a Drury University graduate with an accounting major and a criminology minor. West’s main areas of responsibilities include reviewing tax, monthly and audit work and running several large audits each year. Butts joined Elliott, Robinson & Co. in 2006 and is one of the two supervisors with the firm. She also runs large audits each year, and her specialty is evaluating and assessing internal controls of clients’ businesses.

Dean Arens joined First Home Savings Bank as a financial adviser and program manager for First Home Investment Services. Arens has more than 23 years of experience in investment and banking services. In his new role, he consults with individuals and business owners on issues including retirement, taxes, college and estate planning.

Joe Cleveland, an associate with Springfield Trust and Investment Co., has earned his certified trust and financial advisor designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association. He also completed Trust III at the Financial Institute, where he achieved honor graduate status. Cleveland joined Springfield Trust and Investment Co. in 2004.

Jill Reynolds rejoined Commerce Trust Co. as a vice president, trust officer and administrative team leader. Reynolds is a certified financial planner with 25 years of experience in the trust and finance industry. Reynolds began her banking career with Commerce in 1982 and was a senior managing adviser with the local office of a national accounting and wealth advisory firm prior to rejoining Commerce. In her position, she is responsible for overseeing client service and personal account administration for the trust department’s private client group. Reynolds is a graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned a degree in management.

Commerce Bank named Karen Caputi-Yates residential real estate lending specialist for Bolivar and the surrounding area. She is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank’s line of mortgage products. Caputi-Yates has more than 10 years of banking and lending experience with Commerce, serving as a financial services representative prior to her promotion.

Carol J. Miller, distinguished professor of finance and general business, and Susan J. Crain, associate professor of finance and general business at Missouri State University, received the Excellence in Research Award from the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. They were honored for their article, “Law-Based Degree Programs in Business and Their Departments: What’s In a Name?” which was published in the Journal of Legal Studies Education. Only one article is recognized for this honor each year.

Bank of America was recognized in two areas by Inside Mortgage Finance, an industry source for news, analyses, market trends and research. Bank of America was the No. 1 retail mortgage originator in the United States for the first nine months of 2007 and the third quarter of 2007. The bank captured 14.4 percent market share year-to-date through the third quarter of 2007.

Joy L. Jones joined the staff of certified public accounting firm Bush, Ramlow & Shore PC. Jones is a 1993 graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She provides tax and accounting services to businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Mike Palmer joined Guaranty Bank’s information systems department. He is a graduate of Missouri State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. Palmer has eight years of combined banking and network experience, including network administration, PC support and customer service.

Tim Melton joined Bank of Bolivar as assistant vice president and loan processing supervisor. He has more than 18 years of experience in banking.

Certified public accounting firm BKD LLP announced several staff changes at its Springfield office.

Rikki N. Holmes was promoted to senior consultant at BKD’s Springfield office. She is a 1997 graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned an accounting degree. Holmes is a member of BKD’s health care group, and she provides services to clients in the long-term care industry.

Judy M. Clevenger was promoted to supervising consultant. She is a 1992 graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Clevenger is a member of BKD’s health care group, providing billing services for home health and hospice clients. Emily S. Reese and Robert O. Stoops were promoted to senior consultants with the firm. Reese is a cum laude graduate of the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting; and a graduate of MSU with a master’s degree in health administration.

Reese is a member of BKD’s health care group, providing management consulting services. Stoops, a 2000 graduate of MSU, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He also is a member of BKD’s health care group, providing reimbursement consulting services.

Scott T. Henderson, a supervisor with BKD, transferred to Springfield from the firm’s Kansas City office. Henderson, a Drury University graduate, joined BKD in 2001. He provides audit and consulting services, primarily for not-for-profit and governmental organizations, colleges, universities and construction contractors.

Andrew M. Williams and Christina L. Yoakum were promoted to managers with BKD. Williams is a cum laude graduate of MSU. As a member of BKD’s health care group, he audits clients, primarily hospitals and health systems.

Yoakum, a summa cum laude graduate of MSU, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. Yoakum also is a member of BKD health care group, providing audits primarily for community health centers.

Certified public accounting firm Whitlock Selim & Keehn LLP announced several staff accomplishments. Managing Partner W. David Myers was selected to serve as a member of PKF North American Network’s firm management committee for 2008. Partner Thomas F. Beisner was selected to serve as a member of PKF North American Network’s financial institution committee for 2008. The PKF network is a membership association of 88 independent accounting and consulting firms in North America.

Chris Griesemer was promoted to director of financial institution services with Whitlock, Selim & Keehn. He has more than 12 years of experience in computer network administration and information technology consulting. In his new position, Griesemer performs information technology exams, coordinates business development efforts and manages the client services for financial institutions.

His previous experience includes working at UMB Bank, where he set up the management information systems department.